The Gift- Complete

24

Lydia pov

The day had finally come. Its masons birthday! I woke up at 6 and knowing he wouldn't be awake for hours, crept into his room. I climbed under the covers and snuggled up to him. I felt a kiss to my head and then I soon fell back asleep

At 11 o'clock, mason woke me up. He was still lying in bed so it was clear he to had just got up. His note pad was on the bedside table but I didn't care right now. He didn't need to speak, only me

"Happy 16th birthday mase" i gave him a kiss on the cheek and he smiled at me. We got out of bed and went our separate ways to get dressed before meeting at the top of the stairs

'Remember the birthday tradition?' He handed me the paper

"I know mase it's just, this is a much bigger house and I, ya know, wanna live" I replied letting out a small laugh. He ignored me completely and pulled me over to the banister.

"Oh screw it" I said. I climbed onto the banister and sat at the top of the stairs. It really was much further down than at our old house.

"3,2,1" Mason showed on his fingers. I let myself slide down with him close behind me. Shrieks of joy were coming out of my mouth. I couldn't hear Mason but I remember, he always laughs so loudly when we do this. We got to the bottom and landed in a pile laughing. So busy laughing on the floor, that we only noticed we were being watched when I turned around to face a pair of shoes. I slowly looked up with a guilty expression to see Arthur with his arms folded frowning down at us

"In our defence.......no never mind. I thought I'd come up with something" i said standing up and helping Mason up

Arthur pov

I laughed at Lydia and ruffled her hair, kissed her forehead and then went to Mason

"Happy 16th birthday son" I said. He smiled at me and seemed a little dizzy from the journey from top floor to bottom but was happy enough. I put my arm around the kids and led them to the living room. We sat on the sofa and gave Mason his presents

"Are you serious?" He asked smirking when he unwrapped the present i got him

"Of course I am. You're 16 now, a man" I said clapping him round the back

"This is brilliant" he said putting his peaky cap on his head.

"Aw, you look so cute" Lydia said to him

'Im not cute. I look intimidating' He wrote raising an eyebrow as she read it

"That may be so, but inside you're just a soft little Teddy bear" she said hugging him making him roll his eyes. She went and got the present she got him. He unwrapped it excitedly and kissed her cheek when he opened it. It was a framed picture of me, Mason and lyds with words engraved onto the back

Happy 16th birthday big brother
You're a man now
But don't get too grown up for me
Adults tend to be abit boring

I laughed when I read it but then Lydia's eyes lit up. She ran up stairs faster than I've ever seen her running back down again with a package. Mason went to open it but she moved it away

"I was given this for you when you were 11 and I was 10. 2 weeks before Mama died. Its a gift from her for your 16th birthday. I think she knew her time was close and that's why she told me to give it to you. There's a letter aswell but you can read that in your own time. Mama said its private" I watched as both of their eyes glistened with tears but were soon wiped away.

Mason opened the box carefully and pulled out what looked to be a very expensive suit

"Oh my god" he muttered under his breathe before smiling

"I can't believe she did this" Lydia said in awe

"Mama used to make clothes. Always wanted to sell them but with us 2 to look after, she never got to do that. She made me a suit" Mason told me in wonderment of his mother. I wa impressed to say the least. It was amazing

"We are going the garrison at 7 for a party. You could wear it there" Lydia told him

'I'm gonna go try it on' He wrote down before running off upstairs

"You OK?" I signed to Lydia. We had been doing alright with the basic sign language and that was one I remembered

"Ye. I just can't believe Mama isn't here for masons 16th. God takes all the best people first" she said letting a tear slip. I put my arm around her and gave her a hug, rubbing her back and kissing her head. We didn't say anything and just sat in a comfortable silence

"It fits perfect" Mason said walking down stairs. We stood up and went over to him

"Mason, you look so handsome" Lydia exclaimed as she smiled widely

"You really do. Fits ya well. Your mother must have been a remarkable woman" I said admiring the suit

"She really was" Mason said quietly. He put on his peaky cap

"Now I feel cool" he said posing in the mirror on the wall. I started laughing but I saw Lydia look a little unsure

"Mason, do you really think you're read, to be a blinder I mean" she said

'Lyds, you don't gotta worry about me. I'll be fine. I promise" he wrote. She read it and nodded seeming unsatisfied so he gave her a kiss to the forehead

"Now, just how drunk can I get tonight ya know since I'm 16 n all" Mason asked smugly

"As long as you know 'the one who pukes it cleans it' then I don't care. Just don't be waking me up at 3am to tell me you've thrown up" I said making him nod in agreement

"Nice. This is turning out to be the best birthday I've had in a long time" he said smiling